Sims Hill Sharerd Harvest
We are thrilled to announce that we are finally ready to invite you to become a member of the Sims Hill Shared Harvest CSA.
We are holding two public meetings to present the detail on our initial membership offer and also to update you on our latest project plans. There are two different meeting times which we hope make it possible for everyone who is interested to come. If you are unable to attend but want to take part please contact us at simshillsharedharvest@googlemail.com.
Meeting dates:
Tuesday 30 November
7.30 to 9:30 pm
St. Werburgh’s Community Centre, Horley Rd, Bristol, Avon BS2 9TJ
Sunday 5 December,
10.30 am to 12:30 pm
Wildgoose Space, The Yard, 228 Mina Road, BS2 9YP
About Community Supported Agriculture = Food with a Face
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a popular farming model where members come together and invest in the running of a farm, sharing the risk and sharing the harvest. It is a partnership between community members, growers and the land making a refreshing change from consumer culture. Sims Hill is located between Frenchay and the University of West England. We will be restoring Bristol's historic and fertile market gardens in a way that cares for soil, soul and society.
Check out our blog for more info http://simshillsharedharvest.wordpress.com
Courses at the University of Bristol Botanic Gardens
The one day Winter Pruning course and four-week introduction to Growing Organic Vegetables this season may be of interest to allotment holders - find out more on the Botanic gardens website education page.
Funding opportunity
Bristol’s communities have some great ideas about how they could improve the city and make us a low carbon city with a high quality of life. This fund aims to help communities to do more by providing funding, advice and support.
Grants are available for charities, voluntary and community based groups, and non-profit companies, based in, and working with communities in Bristol. The closing date for applications will be 30 July 2010 and by 31 January 2011.View details of the Community Challenge Fund 'About the grants' document.
Allotments wildlife survey 2010
We would like to find out more information on the types of wildlife found on allotments. We know that allotments are a fantastic nature reserve in the City, providing a wonderful habitat for all sorts of wildlife (some more welcome than others!).See Allotments wildlife survey 2010 to find out how to get involved.
Allotments newsletter
The latest allotments newsletter is sent to all tenants and is also available to download below.
Allotments survey - results in!
Many thanks to all those tenants who completed the survey. Results have been collated and can be viewed from the related documents section at the bottom of the page. We will be looking at ways that we can implement some of the suggestions made in the survey.
GardenShare Bristol
Do you want to get growing quickly? Don't want to spend years on a waiting list for an allotment? GardenShare Bristol matches and introduces committed, enthusiastic growers with local garden owners who want to see their gardens being used more productively. It's a good way of getting gardening experience and knowledge from others involved in the same scheme, and a way of helping and getting to know people who cannot manage their own garden.
E coli advice
Due to the recent outbreaks of E coli 0157 linked to farms in the UK, we would like to issue the following advice regarding crops on allotments:1. No fresh manure should be applied directly to plots but should be composted for at least 12 months prior to applying
2. Manure should be thoroughly dug into the ground before planting any crops
3. Hands should be thoroughly washed following the handling of manure
4. All crops should be thoroughly washed after picking
5. Particular care should be taken that young children should not be allowed to handle animal manureFor more information and guidance, please see the following Food Standards Agency guidelines on Managing Farm Manures for Food Safety and the Health and Safety Executive information sheet about Avoiding ill health at open farms.
Alert - contaminated manure
Beware contaminated manure! A chemical herbicide called Aminopyralid which is found in a herbicide called Forefront and which is used by local farmers has been finding its way onto Bristol's allotments. It is important to ask the farmer or stables where you source manure that the pasture the horses were grazed on (or their hay was cut from) has not been treated with this herbicide.
Allotment rent invoices
Invoices for 2009/10 have been dispatched and should now have reached all plotholders. If you would like to pay online you can process your payment securely through the 'Bristol City Council invoices' option on our Online Payments Site.
Grow fruit and vegetables in the St Paul's Community Garden
Come and learn how to grow fruit and vegetables in the St Paul's Community Garden - every Wednesday morning from 9.30am. As the price of fruit and vegetables is rising rapidly, the St Paul's Community Garden is the perfect place to come and learn about how to grow food in your own garden. We have local friendly gardeners who can teach you about plants suitable for gardens of all sizes, even a window box! There will be Somali and Arabic interpreters on site. To find out more, call 0117 922 2716.
Plots for disabled users
We now have available plots that have been adapted for disabled users at the Thingwall Park allotments site. If you're interested, please contact us using the details below and we will put you in touch with the site rep.
New Allotment Strategy now adopted
The council's cabinet has adopted a new strategy for Bristol's allotments. Read more.
Green waste
A green waste compost service is available to allotment holders. Please contact Hinton Organics for delivery details and cost.
